Summary
Arqa is the second block in the long and spiraling dungeon that is Tartarus inPersona 3 Reload. This is the first block you’ll be able to explore with the upperclassman Akihiko Sanada, so many of the Shadows you’ll encounter will be weak to Electric damage to utilize the popular boxer better.
Later on in the block, the studious Mitsuru Kirijo will be able to join you in battle, providing much-needed Ice damage to the SEES squad. Both of these new party members also have excellent secondary skills that will prove helpful to the party, like buffs and status ailment, letting you and your full arsenal of Personas to exploit the Shadows’ weaknesses while your new friends come to your aid.
10Oberon
The fairy king of theEmperorArcana can be extremely helpful during this block of Tartarus. Oberon innately comes equipped with Zio, and can learn Mazio a level later, making fights against annoying enemies likeSteel Gigasa breeze.
Not only can Oberon hit hard with its 15 Magic stat, but its Media skill can help you in a pinch when your party needs the extra healing after taking a beating from some of the stronger enemies on this block.
9Jack-O’-Lantern
One of the most iconic demons in the series, the pumpkin head prankster, has a high Magic stat like Oberon, but can help you and your fellow SEES members obliterate any Shadow that is weak to fire attacks.
Unlike Oberon which needs to level up to acquire its multi-target attack, Jack-O’-Lantern has Maragi in its kit from the get-go. TheMagicianPersona also knows Provoke, which can help you deal with those pesky shadows that heal or buff up with comrades.
Once you unlock Theurgy attacks, having Jack-O’-Lantern in your party alongside Jack Frost will unlock an amazing combo attack.
8Tam Lin
Since plenty of Shadows in Arqa are weak against Electric damage, carrying a couple of Personas who can get the job done might be helpful. Tam Lin is equipped with Zio whenever you acquire it, but its Magic stat is not as high as other Magic-based Persona.
Instead, Tam Lin specializes in hitting hard and fast. Its high Agility stat can push your protagonist up the turn order, giving you the option to deliver aSlashingPower Slash or buff yourself with Sukukaja.
7Zouchouten
If your playstyle is closer to that of a brawler, Zouchouten is a Persona you’ll need to fuse quickly. This absolute tank can take a hit with no problem with its huge Endurance stat andStrikeattack resistance.
Zouchouten can take plenty of hits, but it can deliver just as much. With its Bash and Assault Dive, combined with Crit Rate Boost and Auto Tarukaja, as long as the enemies are not resistant to Strike, Zouchouten will make light work of them.
6Nigi Mitama
Extra healing never hurts to have. With Nigi Mitama, you’ll never run out of utility with its party-wide Media spell along with its cleansing Baisudi.
Status ailments in Persona 3: Reload can be annoying to deal with, but Baisudi can remove Freeze, Shock, Poison, Down, and Dizzy for anyone in the party. This Persona has a decent Magic stat, so you’ll find some use for its Wind spells like Garu and Magaru against shadows like theServant Towergatekeeper and itsEnslaved Cupidminions.
5Jack Frost
You’ll be able to get the Atlus mascot, Jack Frost, pretty early on, and while it will be a low level at the start, that doesn’t make it any less useful. Apart from being one of the earliest forms of Ice damage you’ll be able to get before Mitsuru joins you in your Tartarus excursions, its Pulinpa skill can confuse enemies, making them throw out random items at you and sometimes even money.
You’ll outgrow its usefulness quite quickly, but being able topass on its Ice skillsto Personas like Tam Lin, will come in handy.
Leveling up Jack Frost will grant you the item Jacktite, which is required to craft fusion weapons at Mayoido Antiques.
4Pisaca
This Death Arcana Persona is one of the earliest instances where you’ll be able to use Dark-type skills in the game. Dark weaknesses are quite common in Arqa, so Pisaca will find plenty of situations where it’s relevant. This Persona comes equipped with Eiha and Mudo, the instakill skills with a 30 percent chance of landing.
The odds might not seem all that great for an instakill skill, but if you come across a Shadow with Dark weakness, they will succumb easily to Pisaca’s magic.
3Rakshasa
Rakshasa is one of the strongest Personas you can use up to this point in Tartarus. It has a high Strength stat, but where Rakshasa truly shines is in its skill pool and resistances.
Rakshasa knows Vacuum Slash, which hits every enemy on screen with a massive Slash attack that will help you clear out multiple enemies quickly. Rakshasa also knowsRegenerate 1,refunding some of the HP spent on its physical attacks. This Persona is also resistant to Slash and Pierce damage, making it an excellent Persona to have if you are looking to deal high damage while mitigating random attacks from Shadows.
2Take-Minakata
If you expect your foe will overwhelm you with attacks and be weak to Electric, then Take-Minakata is the one Persona to start the battle with. This massive wall has a raw 21 Endurance stat and has a resistance to Pierce, Fire, and Electric damage.
It also comes equipped with Auto Rakukaja, giving you an extra Defense boost at the start of battle, and Dekaja, a skill that can dispel all of your enemies' stat buffs, leaving them vulnerable to the SEES members to clean up.
1Hua Po
Hua Po will take a little more work than most Personas, but the payoff is immense. To unlock Hua Po’s fusion, you’ll need to clear theElizabeth Request77, which requires you to show her around the Paulownia Mall, but once you do, this 21 Magic stat Persona will shred through your enemies.
ThisMagician ArcanaPersona comes with Maragi instantly, but if yourSocial Linklevel with Kenji is higher, you’ll be able to skip a couple of levels and have it learn Agilao, a medium damage Fire skill that is MP efficient.
